4 Ways for Workaholic Lawyers to Achieve a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Published on July 5, 2023 Lawyer Life
Do you consider yourself a workaholic? If you can’t stop thinking about work even after you’ve left the office or while you’re on vacation, then it may be time to reconsider your relationship with work.
Defining Workaholism: A Closer Look at Work Addiction
While the term itself may seem like a recent buzzword, workaholism was coined in 1971 by American psychologist Wayne Edward Oates who considered the “uncontrollable need to work incessantly” an addiction.
Other scientists define work addiction as “being overly concerned about work, to be driven by strong and uncontrollable work motivation, and to spend so much energy and effort into work that it impairs private relationships, spare-time activities and/or health.”
It may not be currently recognized as a diagnosable disorder in the DSM-5, but work addiction is a very real mental health condition that affects countless people around the world. According to recent statistics, an estimated one in five people suffer from workaholism.
In the United States, 5-10% of the workforce suffers from work addiction. Business Insider ranked the United States as the fifth most workaholic country in the world, trailing behind Japan, Australia, South Africa, and South Korea.
How Work Addiction Impacts Your Mental and Physical Well-Being
In the legal field, workaholism is often the status quo. Long hours, weekend work, and a non-existent work-life balance tend to be the defining factors of lawyer life. While some may see the overwhelming amount of work as a badge of honor, it’s necessary to understand the negative ramifications of overwork and work addiction.
Some common health issues workaholics face include:
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Chronic fatigue
- Substance abuse
- Cardiovascular issues
Don’t let work run your life. It is possible to find a fulfilling work-life balance. Here are some tips that may help.
If you’re experiencing stress, burnout, or depression, don’t hesitate to text or call the Lawyers’ Assistance Program at 1-800-343-TLAP (8527).
Commit to Fixing the Problem
This may be one of the hardest obstacles for workaholics to overcome, but there’s a reason why it’s the first step. If your goal is to break away from the dependency of work addiction, then you need to commit to finding a healthy balance between work and life.
Unlike those who suffer from overwork and burnout, most workaholics actually enjoy the constant grind. You may experience a euphoric sense of accomplishment whenever you’re the last one to go home or when your pile of work is taller than everyone else’s.
The American Psychological Association defines workaholism as a “compulsive need to work and to do so to an excessive degree” which “is often a source of significant stress, interpersonal difficulties, and health problems.” Does this sound familiar?
Whether you’re a self-defined workaholic or your friends and loved ones tell you that you devote too much time and energy to your work, then odds are your obsession with work is more of an addiction than a character trait to be proud of.
Once you understand the underlying issue, you can take the next steps toward overcoming workaholism.
Practice Acts of Self-Care Until They Turn into Habits
Self-care may sound counterintuitive to workaholics. Sure, working countless hours and delving into that seemingly never-ending pile of work may seem exciting, but it’s necessary to detach your mind from the constant grind of work in order to live a happy, healthy life.
You can start out small. Consider taking a short break during the day or putting your phone on Do Not Disturb when you get home, then build up from there. What’s important is that you stick to this self-care routine until it becomes a habit.
Consider implementing the following habits into your life to boost your mental and physical wellbeing:
- Carve out time for yourself and non-work-related hobbies.
- Ensure you’re eating healthily and staying hydrated every day.
- Pamper yourself.
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. If you can’t, try taking short naps whenever you can.
Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries for yourself is yet another excellent way to break free from workaholism. You can begin by establishing a time management method to define a solid boundary between work and life. While many people need time management methods to focus and get work done, you can use these methods to know when to stop working.
Time management is an invaluable source for lawyers and legal professionals alike. In many instances, managing your time and establishing a purposeful time to break away from work every day will yield countless mental and physical benefits.
Also consider setting boundaries on your coworkers’ and supervisors’ perceptions. It may be hard to do, but if you’re the person in the office who everyone turns to for help or you’re always brought on to the most stressful projects, then you need to speak up and say no when your plate is too full. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s one of the most important ways you can break away from your addiction to work.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Much like any other addiction, workaholism may be difficult—if not downright impossible—to overcome on your own. If you’ve tried to break away from work addiction only to fall back into the long hours and never-ending work, then it may be time to seek professional help. There are therapists, coaches, and counselors who focus on work addiction. Do your research and schedule an appointment to begin chipping away at the wall of work addiction.
You can also speak openly with your spouse/partner, friends, family members, or other coworkers about your workaholism. Overcoming work addiction on your own can be difficult. When you have a support group to back you up (or to even join you in the journey), you’ll be able to hold yourself accountable so you can detach yourself from the dependence of constant work.
It Is Possible to Overcome Workaholism — Get Started Today
Understanding the negative impact workaholism has on your life is the first step toward breaking free. These tips may or may not work for you and your situation, but don’t let that dissuade you. There are countless resources out there that can help you overcome work addiction.
If you’re experiencing mental or physical health issues relating to stress, anxiety, depression, or substance abuse, then the State Bar’s Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program may be able to help. Call or text them 24/7 at 1-800-343-TLAP (8527) for caring, strictly confidential help.
For a closer look at lawyer well-being, consider viewing the following TexasBarCLE resources:
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Otto Nicli
Otto Nicli is part of the State Bar's Web team and serves as the blog writer for the Texas Bar Practice website. He also plays a part in marketing and video production. In his free time, he enjoys watching Top Chef with his wife, collecting records, reading, and going to shows.
